Our Newest National Social Progress Network Launches in Nicaragua!

2 Sep 2016

On August 31, at an event in Managua, 16 organizations came together to launch the Social Progress Network for Nicaragua (#Progreso Social Nicaragua).

“Nicaragua today joins ten other innovative countries in Latin America where local businesses and community organizations are using the Social Progress Index,” said Michael Green, Executive Director of the Social Progress Imperative, in a press release. “We know that partnerships between the CLACDS of INCAE with organizations like Cargill and FUNIDES will make all the difference in measuring and advancing the things that matter to people in Nicaragua.”

Members of the new Social Progress Network for Nicaragua (#Progreso Social Nicaragua) as it launches are:

“The challenges faced by countries are too big for governments, private sector and civil society to solve independently. Therefore, we are pleased by the establishment of the new Social Progress Network for Nicaragua, which will promote evidence-based, multi-sectoral action to advance social progress. We sincerely appreciate the leadership of FUNIDES and we will support members of the new network to use the Social Progress Index to promote sustainable development in Nicaragua,” said Victor Umaña, director of The Latin American Center for Competitiveness and Sustainable Development (CLACDS) of INCAE Business School.

CLACDS leads Progreso Social Mesoamérica, which promotes the use of Social Progress Indexes at the local level in a growing number of countries including Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.

“With this tool we can clearly identify our strengths and weaknesses, in order to enhance the positive aspects and work together in improving the weakest aspects, in order to achieve progress for our people,” said Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Executive Director of FUNIDES. “I am confident that together we can do great things for Nicaragua,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cargill is planning to use the Social Progress Index in Nicaragua as part of its commitment to sustainable development in the region. A Social Progress Index for the community of Nindirí will aim to better manage corporate social responsibility, with a focus on nutrition and education.

“We want others to join this initiative. We believe the Social Progress Index is a tool that will greatly assist us in measuring progress as a country beyond talk of economic data,” said Dr. Jose Evenor Taboada, President of uniRSE .